The American Essentials Film Festival 2017 screens at Palace Cinemas around Australia in May. This specially curated program features a range of the latest and most vibrant new independent films from America, with some filmmakers in the early stages of their careers. There is also a Masters and Masterpieces sidebar that features newly restored prints of some classics like The Graduate, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. All the new works are drawn fresh from some of the top international film festivals, like Venice, Sundance, Toronto and SXSW. Greg spoke to the festival’s artistic director Richard Sowada to find out more about this year’s rich program.